Pulse’s gig at The Sunflower Lounge was notable for it’s well-balanced combination of originals and covers from all performers. This allowed audience members who weren’t yet familiar with their work to see them perform it, while also listening to better-known songs by artists that inspired them. This provided a good reference for new fans, whilst also showing how creatively the bands can interpret these songs.
Static Brains
Static Brains’ grungy, rebellious fashion style (which included a very well-painted face!) suited their musical style well. Impressive riffs and emotional vocals perfectly conveyed eerier moments in songs, while still allowing the band to contrast well with the heavier, more ‘rock-like’ sections, and their technical proficiency and catchy songs allowed them to capture their musical style, and engage the audience, effortlessly. Tributes to Green Day and Muse were well-performed and gave a strong insight into the band’s inspiration.
I am excited to see how Static Brains further develop their physical presence on stage with more movement and confidence, as well as their ‘filler’ talk when tuning, etc.
Overall, Static Brains perform technically and stylistically strong original and cover songs with appropriate dynamic contrast between sections, which engages the audience.
The Accents
When I first started to see The Accents’ band members approach the stage, I was excited and intrigued to see 6 people take positions behind instruments and microphones (as I am so used to seeing 3-4, especially at rock gigs), and that excitement was certainly indulged by the band’s use of this instrumentation and arrangements. With a drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and 2 vocalists, the whole set had a strong texture and allowed for a varied repertoire. While The Accents’ set consisted of mainly creatively interpreted covers, we did get to see an original from the band, which was catchy, well-structured and well-arranged.
I would really love to see more originals from the Accents, as they have certainly proven their strong songwriting and arranging ability, leaving the audience absolutely wanting more! I also hope to see more vocal harmonies to add further texture to the performances, as well as more informal and relaxed interaction with the audience.
Overall, The Accents interpret existing songs in a way that allows all 6 of their members to contribute to each performance with creative and well-balanced arrangements. While I believe it is always a good idea to include covers (and the Accents nailed every single one), I would love to see more originals in their set to present their own unique, stylistic identity to the audience.
1977
1977 are certainly unique (in a good way, chill). Their blend of ‘traditionally boyish’ indie rock with hints of ska made a memorable sound that perfectly complimented their impressive technical ability and uplifting charisma. They interact with each other and are exciting to watch on stage, with energy that is also channeled into passionate instrument-playing. Rhythmic vocals contributed to this energy with faster-paced songs, but the band could contrast this with softer vocals in slower songs. 1977 also balanced covers and originals well, giving insight into their own identity and their inspiration.
For more energetic, ska-like songs, it would be exciting to see 1977 add to their instrumentation, perhaps with a small brass section. The instrumentation was obviously totally appropriate for a rock band, but I feel like there is room to add more instruments for a more exciting, contrasting and dramatic arrangement.
Overall, 1977’s style perfectly fits the previously mentioned ‘boyish’ image, which made the performance strong in terms of the set’s repertoire aligning well with this image, but also the charisma and interaction from the band members that contributed to it, too.
Pulse
Pulse’s set struggled with their lead singer losing their voice, but this didn’t stop them carrying on with a great set and an enthusiastic audience. Their opening cover of ‘Footloose’ was the perfect way to start their set with energy and demonstrate their immense skill. Throughout their performance, Pulse involved the audience with their cover of ‘Naive’, creatively and successfully altered their cover of ‘Come Together’ to align more with their slightly heavier style of rock and performed their debut single: ‘Radiation’. While the lead vocals were lost quite rapidly through the set, the band covered well for this and made sure the show did, in fact, go on. The audience was very much involved in both talking and singing along to songs.
Overall, Pulse has countless strengths that all improve a band’s live performance, including their ability to interpret existing songs to fit their style and engage their audience with energy and relaxed, refreshing charisma.
This gig was an energetic evening of well-interpreted tributes and opportunities for the audience to join in. There were slight variations in sub-genre, but in a way that was enjoyable for all alternative rock fans. All of the bands are absolutely worth watching out for and their live performances certainly worth seeing.